Apparatus for distilling oil shale



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS June 18, 1929. K. a CLAYTON-KENNEDY AH'AM'I'US' FOR DIS'HLLIIIG OIL SEAL! Filed llay 4, 1926 Patented June 18, 19 29.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE;

KENNETH EDGAR CLAYTON-KENNEDY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN HYDROGKRBON COMPANY, INC.,

'A, CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

APPARATUS FOR'DISTILLING SHALE.

Application filed Hay 4,

It is well known thatlarge quantities of duce the expense of obtaining th product,

more particularly of obtaining oil from shale. More particular objects of the inven-" tion are to provide an apparatus which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, economical to operate, and which for a given size of apparatus will have a greater production capacity or output than other apparatus heretofore proposed. Further objects of the invention are to secure a more effective application of heat to the material being treated, better agitation of the fragmentary solid material in the apparatus, the more effective exclusion of air from entering the apparatus while the solid mate rial to be treated is being fed thereto and the solid material which has been treated is being discharged therefrom, and a more uniform and reliable feeding to the apparatus of the material to be treated therein. Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

In carrying out the invention an annular rotating retort is employed mounted to rotate on a lon itudinal axis which at least approaches su stantially to the horizontal, together with means for maintaining both the inner and outer annular walls of the retort in a substantially uniformly suitably heated condition, means-being provided for carrying and distributing the fragmentary solid material being treated completely circumferentially around the annular retort'so that it will come into contact with both of theheated annular walls thereof-and atthe sametime will-beloosened and thoroughly agitated. In addition to its circumferential movement within the retort, the material be ing treated continuously travels 'lon itudinally in the rotating retort, being fe in at the one end thereof and the treated material being discharged at theotherend thereof, and means are provided by which-the entrance to the retort is at all times maintained in a closed condition to exclude air while at the same time the materialto be 1926. Serial N0. 106,599.

treated is supplied and fed into the rotating retort. At the other end of the retort the solid material which has been treated and the vapors which have been produced in the retort are received in a separating chamher having a sealing connection to the rotating retort, this chamber having an opening in its bottom and means are provided for constantly maintaining this opening in a closed condition to exclude air'and at the same time for discharging or removing the solid treated material from the chamber..

The vapors generated in the rotating retort are drawn off from the separating chamber and condensed. A positively acting feed device is provided to force the material to be treated into the retort in desired regulated quantities while the retort is rotating. The invention further includes various features of construction and combinations of parts as will appear from the followingdescription.

The apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings as one embodiment of the invention and for carrying out the method thereof will now be described and thereafter the invention will be pointed outin claims, reference now being had to the drawings in which:

ig. 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the annular retort on the line 22 of. Fig. 1

F i 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the air excluding feed device; A. v

Figs. 4 and 5am views similar to- Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, showing a modified construction. e I

In. the apparatus illustrated in the drawings as an embodiment of the invention, and for carrying out the process or method thereof, anannular axially extended of Iongitudinally elongated vaporizing space is provided between inner and outer annular walls of which the inner wall 1 is shown as cylindrical and the outer wall 2 .is shown fl't having the form of a truncated cone. "walls form the inner and outerwalls of an annular rotating retort and are 'i-otatabl'e u on longitudinal axes which, most desira ly, at least substantially approach to the horizontal. In the construction shown in the drawings the innerand outer "walls 1 and 2 are shown as arranged concentricall for rotation upon the same axis, which is s iown as horizontal. However, according to the broader aspect of the invention, it is not es sential that the axes of the-annular walls 1 and 2 of the retort shall be either horizontal oncoincident, as shown; for example, the axis of the inner wall 2 could be inclined more or less towards the delivery or discharge end of the retort, or the axes'of both of these walls 1 and 2 could be more or less thus inclined, also, if desired, these axes, that is to sa the annular walls 1 and 2, 'may be adjustab e in this respect. Also, in the broader aspect of the invention, the outer annular wall of the retort may be cylindrical, similarly to its inner annular wall 1, or

may be increased in diameter by steps from 1ts inner to 1ts outer end, or the inneriwall of the retort might be of a different contour than that shown for the wall 1. The annular walls 1 and 2 of the annular retort may be rotated together at the same angular speed or they may be rotated independently of or relatively to each other at different angular speeds, either in the same or in different directions of rotation, as will hereinafter appear.

According to the invention, means are provided for applying suitable vaporizing heat to both'the inner and outer annular walls 1 and 2 of the annular retort substantially throughout'their extent, and such .means shown as employed in carrying out the invention will now be described. The inner cylindrical wall 1 of the annular retort has secured within its end combined s aeing and sealing rings 3 and 4 within which are secured the ends of a cylindrical jacket wall 5 which, together with the end rings 3-and 4, forms a hermetically sealed annular jacket for the inner wall 1 of the annular retort. The closed cylindrical space between the inner retort'w'all 1 and its 'acket wall 5 is shown as filled with a suita le liquid 6 such as a suitable metal in a molten condition. The outerconical wall 2 of the retort carries on its outer side a conical jacket wall 7 which, at the ends of this retort wall, is supported thereon and spaced therefrom by means of sealing rings 8 and 9, thereby to form a hermeticall which is shown as lled with a suitab e liquid 10 such as a suitable metal in a molten condition, which may be'the same in kind as the molten metal fi-contained in the jacket for the inner wall 1 of'the annular rotary retort. The walls 1 and 2 of the retort and their j acketsmay be of iron or steel, and the kind of metal to be contained. in a molten condition in these jackets may be chosen as to its suitability, for example, according to the amount of heat desired. Such metal may be bismuth, lead, sodium, potassium, or other metal fusible at a relatively low temperature,

sealed annular jacket videdwithin the inner jacket wall 5, a stationary baffle plate 12 being shown above these burners for spreading and distributing the heated products of combustion. Obviously any number of such burners desired may be employed, together with a baflle plate therefor. The burners 11 are supplied with fuel through a pipe 13 which enters through one of, the open ends of the jacket wall 5, as hereinafter more particularly described, and is shown as enterlng the jacket wall 5 at the discharge or delivery end of the retort. As also hereinafter more articularly described, one of the'open ends oi th e acket wall 5 may have a connection to a chimney so as thereby to create a draft of combustion-supporting air through the jacket as well as to'carry combustion which may be supplied at the bottom below the retort by any suitable means, such as burners (not shown) similar to the burners 11. These products of come bustion after having served their purpose may escape through an opening 15 in the top of the'hood 14 which, if desired, may have a connection to a chimney.

The annular vaporizing space within the retort between its inner-and" outer walls 1 and 2 is open at both ends and the fragmentary solid material to be treated, such as suitably crushed or pulverized oil bearing shale, is fed into the smaller end of the retort as determined by its conical outer wall 2, and the treated solid material from which the vaporizable matter has been removed is delivered or discharged from the other or larger end of the retort together with the vapors produced or generated in the retort. As the retort rotates the solid fragmentary material which is being treated therein will travel through theretort from the intake or feed end thereof to and out of the discharge end by reason of the downward inclination of the lower portions of the conical or flaring outer retort wall 2, as will be readil understood. As the material being treate travels longitudinally through the retort it is carried upwardl andjdistributed circumferentially around t e annular retort so as to come into contact with both-the inner and outer heated walls 1 and 2 thereof and at the same time is thoroughly agitated, and the means provided for thus distributing and agitating the material will now be described.

The outer flaring or conical wall 2 of the retort has secured thereto within the retort a circumferential series. of equidistantly spaced longitudinal inwardly projecting ledges 16 shown as formingv fiat radial shelves although these ledges could be otherwise shaped so as to carry more material if desired. In the drawings these ledges 16 are shown as angles, which may be angledrons, one flat web of which forms the ledge and the other of which provides for securing the ledge to the retort wall 2. The inner cylindrical wall 1 of the retort on its periphery within the retort is similarly provided with a similar series of ledges or shelves 17 secured thereto, which are shown as fiat and as projecting radially, and which cooperate with the ledges 16 carried b the .outer wall 2 of thea'nnularretort. lso, if desired, the flat ledges or shelves 17 may be of a different shape so as thereby to receive and carry a larger quantity of material. -The ledges or shelves 16 and 17 of the outer and inner series thereof are shown as of the same width in any transverse plane, these ledges radually increasin in'width from the fee or intake end of t he annular retort' to the delivery or discharge end thereof. A safe clearance is provided between the adjacent edges of the outer and inner ledges or shelves 16 and 17, as shown, thereby providing, when desired, for the differential rotatron of the inner and outer walls 1 and 2 of the annular retort or for their rotation in opposite directions,' as hereinbefore mentioned, as well as providing for the free and effective transfer of the fragmentary solid material back and forth from each to the other of the two series of'shelves 16 and 17. Of course the annular retort space is never completely filled with the fragmentary solid material but suflicient free or open space is left therein for the free transfer of such material bacleand forth in a loose condition from theouter wall 2 to the inner wall 1; and then back again from the inner wall .1 to the outer wall 2 of the annular retort, the extent to which the retort is filled being to some extent dependent upon the nature of the material being treated. With the inner and outer direction the material carried by the shelves 16 in the pockets formedthereby will gradually or progressively drop therefrom away from the outer wall 2 upon the shelves l7 and into the pockets formed thereby with spectively,

walls .1 an 2' of the annular retort rotating in'the same the inner wall 1 so that at the ascending sides of the walls 1 and 2-the material is gradually or progressively transferred from the pockets of the outer wall 2 to the pockets of the inner wall 1, dropping loosely and freely from the ,outer wall 2 and its- .freely drops ina loose condition from the shelves 17 away from the inner cylindrical wall 1 upon the shelves 16 and outer conical wall 2 by which such material is carried in a constantly shifting condition from one side to the other across the bottom of the annular retort, again to repeat its circumferential travelin the annular retort, during. which it is to be noted such material is thoroughly agitated and effectively subjected to the va orizing heat of the walls 1 an'd2 and of t eir pocket-forming shelves l7 and 16 and at the same time progressively travels longitudinally through the annular retort from end to end thereof. As the re tort rotates the material cascades from shelf to shelf, particularly'back and forth between the two series of shelves.

. When the inner and outer walls 1 and 2 of the annular retort are rotated, as hereinafter more particularly described, each of these walls of course carries with it its own series of cascaders or shelves 17 and 16, re-

independently of the other series. These retort walls 1 and 2omay 'be rotated together in the same direction at the sameangular' speed, and in such case ma be directly coupled or connected toget or if desired. However, in treating -materials which have a tendencf'v. to agglomerate into, cakes or masses, example, resinous materials such as some ibituminousshales, these inner and outer walls 1 and 2 of the. annular retort should be rotated, at times at least, at different rates of speed and occasionally or from time to time it may be desirable to rotate these .walls in opposite directions. By such differential rotation or by rotation in opposite "directions the formation of agglomerations will be more effectively. prevented and also any agglomerated masses or cakes which do 'form will be caught between the adjacent edgesof the two series of ledges or shelves 16-and 17, and thereby broken up. For example,-in operating in this manner the speed of the outer -wall 2 of the annular retort may remain constant while the speed of the inner wall 1 may be changed or reversed.

The outer jacketed conical or flaring wall 2 of the annular retort is shown as r0tat ably supported adjacent its ends on rollers 18 which run on its jacket wall -7 and which are journaled on suitable base supports (not shown). The inner cylindrical wall 1 of 'the" annular retort together with its jacket.

flanged spacing and bearing rings 19 and 20' are shown as interposed respectively between the inner and outer walls 1 and 20f the annular retort at the intake-or feed end thereof and at the delivery or discharge end thereof, the bearing ring 19 at the feed end of the retort being provided in its web 1 throughout thelatter with large closely adjacent openings 19 .for the entrance into the retort of material to be treated, while the bearing ring 20 is provided with a simi lar circumferential series of large closely adjacent openings 20 for the discharge of the treated solid material from the retort as well as for the exit of the vapors generated in the retort. These openings 19 and 20 may be ,suflicientlylarge and closely spaced as to leave between them only narrowribs or spokes so that the traveling moven'rent of the fragmentary solid material into and out of the annular retort is not impeded. For holding them in place these bearing rings 19 and 20 are secured to one of the walls, for example tothe outer wall 2, and thus form supporting bearings for the inner cylindrical wall 1.

Outwardly from the discharge end of the rotary retort the end of its inner jacketed wall 1, which is shown as projecting beyond":

the outer jacketed wall 2, is further 'sup ported by means of a bearing 21, supported as hereinafter described, in which is jour naled and through which extends a tubular;

extension 22 of the inner acketed wall 1 and,

shown as having its inner end secured with? in the end of the jacket wall 5. It may be; here noted that the hereinbefore mentionedifuel supply pipe 13 is shown as entering the cylindrical jacket wall 5' through the tubu lar extension 22. In view of the bearing 2 itis evident'that the bearing ring 20 could be omitted if desired. Likewise the bearing ring 19 at the feed end-of the annular retort could be omitted, and in such case this end of the jacketed wall 1 could be provided with bearing means similar to the bearing 21 an tubular wall extension 22 at the'other end of this wall 1 of the retort.

The means provided. in carrying out the invention for feeding the fragmentary solid material such as pulverized oil bearing shale to the admission orintake end of the annular retort while thev latter is rotatin and at the same time substantially exclu ing air from entering the retort will now be decombustionsupporting scribed. ---Obviously if air inany substantial quantities ,were permitted to enter the retort during its operation not only would the generated vapors be diluted thereby but in all probability'a dangerously explosive mixture would 'bey formed with the combustible oil vapors; In, the construction shown, the entire feed-end of the annular rotary retort is suitably beveled as shown so that the beveled surfaces thereof, particularly of the beveled jacket-sealing spacin rings 3 and 8, may have a*sealingfit against the conical scaling surfaceof'aoonical end wall 23, while permitting the retort to rotate in contact with the conical stationary end plate 23, thereby to prevent the entrance into the retort of air from the atmosphere and similarly to prevent the entrance into the retort of air and products of combustion present within the inner jacket wall 5. The end wall 23 extends centrally inwardly and is provided somewhat above its center with an open outwardly projecting tubular portion 24 which communicates with the interior of the jacket wall 5"and-ith'e outer end of which may be connected to' achimney for creating a suitable draught of air througlrt-hc' jacket wall 5 as well as for carrying off the products of combustion after; e extraction therefrom of the1 r availre ort -wi11 not in any manner prevent or iiiterfie'with the feeding of material thereare 'wliiledhe retort rotates. Also it is ob- -'-vious-and is to be understood that if desired 'such material may be fed to the rotating retort throughout as large a continuous or '-.,di' scont'inuous circumferential space or area .or extent,- as may be found desirable. In the construct-ion shown, the material to be treat- "d' isljfed'to the --annular retort as-it rotates it o wh'at'ever portion thereof may be at the ttomaorlowermost at the time. In such construction the conical end wall 23 adjacent i;t s;lowen= edge is provided with an outwardly projecting tubularc'asing 26 having therein a hqrizontal longitudinal passageway or bore. 27 the inner end of which opens through the conical'wall 23 directly into the retort between its inner and outer annular walls 1 and 2 as shown in Fig. 1. On its upper side substantially adjacent to the wall 23 this tubular casing 26 is provided with an upwardly projecting and outwardly inclined tubular boss 28 which opens into the bore 27 of the casing 26. The tubular casing 26 projects outwardly some distance beyond the tubular boss 28 for a purpose which will presently appear. The boss 28 has connected thereto the lower end of a downwardly extending and somewhat inwardly inclined imperforate tube 29 forming an air tight feed or supply chute of which the boss 28 forms a continuation into the bore 27 of theto be described.

Supported by the upper end of the chute .29 and further supported on an outer flange of the end wall 23 is a cylindrical casing 30,

the axis of which is horizontal. At its lower side or bottom, through an opening 31- in its cylindrical wall, the casing 30 communicates with or opens into the upper end of the chute 29 which at this point extends vertically. At its upper side or 'top the cylindrical wall of the casing 30 is provided with a short tubular inlet neck 32. Mounted on the neck 32 and opening into it is a supply hopper 33. for containing a considerablefing quantity-of the fragmentary solid material to be treated which may descend by gravity through the neck 32- into the cylindrical casing 30. Within the cylindrical casing 30 and fitting closely therein both at its ends.

and peripherally, is a rotatable feed cylinder or drum 34, shown as of greater diameter than length, which at all times closes and seals the casing 30 against the passage of air through this casing into the upper end of the chute 29. In its periphery the cylinder or drum 34- is provided with a suitable recess to form therein a pocket which may be relatively large as compared with the dimensions of the drum 34. In the construction shown in the drawings, there is provided within this drum 34 apocket 35 of a size so large that it leaves only end walls and a peripheral wall which latter wall is incomplete or discontinuous to provide a large opening or mouth 36 for the pocket 35, as appears most clearly in Fig. 3, The mouth 36 of the pocket 35, however, is made sufiiciently small that the opening in the top of the casing 30 through the neck 32 as well as the opening 31 in the bottom of the casing 30 will at all times be closed and sealed by the peripheralwall of the drum 34. At its end adjacent the retort end wall 23 the drum 34 is provided with a stub shaft 37 journaled in an outwardly closed bearing 38 on the casing 30 for rotatably supporting the drum 34 at this end. At 'ItS other end the drum 34 is fixed to a support ing and operating shaft 39 which is journaled in andprojects outwardly beyond a bearing 40 on the casing 30. For rotatin the drum 34 its operating shaft 39 has fixe thereon a pulley 41 over which runs a belt 42,in the construction shown. This operating shaft 39, by means of the belt 42, may be driven by any convenient source of power, such as from a line shaft or by a suitable motor, for example, an electric motor.

- As the drum or cylinder 34 rotates, when its mouth 36comes upward so to register or communicate with the opening through the tubular neck 32, the fragmentary sohd' material will descend by gravity from the hopper 33 throu h the neck 32 and mouth 36 and will fill t e pocket 35 in the sealing drum 34, then when the mouth 36 comes into registration or communicationwith the opening 31 in the bottom of the casing 30, by reason of the continued rotation of the drum 34, such material will drop out of the pocket 35- through the mouth 36' and opening 31 into the upper end of the supply chute 29. During this operation no or substantially no air can enter the chute 29 from the atmosphere excepting merely the small quantity thereof contained in the interstices between the small pieces of the fragmentary solid material. Exceptfor the constant seal formed by the rotating drum 34 in the casing 30, air from the outside would have a tendency to enter the retort, particularly by reason of the partial vacuum maintained within the retort, as-will presently appear. The material contained inthe hopper 33' assistsin maintaining a seal against the entrance of air to the retort, and by keeping the feed chute 29 filled or nearly so with the material to be treated, this material in the chute will also similarly assist in forming a more effective seal againstthe entrance of air to the retort.

Gravity is not relied upon to feedthe material to be treated from the chute 29 into the retort, but in carrying out the invention a positively acting feed device or stoking device is provided which assures the un failing'feeding of the material to be treated to the retort in desired regulated or meas-. ured quantities without the possibility of irregular feeding or the clogging of such material, and such device will now be described. The material to be treated descends by gravity from the chute; 29 into ,the bore or passage 27 of the tubular casing 26. The bore 27 extends outwardly entirely through the casing 26 which rojects beyond its tubular boss 28 whic a s above noted, forms a continuation of the chute 29. The bore 27 snugly but slidably contains a reciprocating plunger 43 which at its outer end extends beyond the casing 26. In addition to the snug sliding fit of the plunger or piston 43 in the bore 27 of its casing or cylinder 26 this casing is shown as further sealed against the entrance of air into the' retort'by means of a packin flange including a usual sealing ring 44-for compressing a gasket against the piston oi plunger.

- As the plunger 43 is retracted its'inner end clears the chute opening provided rotation of the drum 34 so that the plunger '43 may feed at its full capacity and leave some material in the supply chute 29 and also, although of small consequence, to permit the supply drum 34 to deliver at its full capacity into the su ply chute 29. As shown in the drawings, the feed plunger 43 is reciprocated by means of a pitman or connectin rod 45, a crank 46, bevel gears 47, a shaft 48, a pulley 49, a belt 50, and a pulley 51 fixed on the shaft 39 which rotates the material-supplying sealing drum 34, so that the iced plunger 43 will be reciprocated at a rate commensurate with the rotation of the drum 34, thereby to keep the supply chute 29 substantially ,filled with materia a At is delivery'or discharge end the annular rotary retort opens into a stationary receiving and separating chamber 52 which receives from the retort the vapors which have been produced therein and also the solid material from which the vaporizable matter has been extracted. This chamber is shown as having vertical parallel side walls and as elongated somewhat in a vertical direction. The delivery or discharge end'of the annular rotary retort enters the chamber 52 through one of these side walls, the outer jacket wall 7 having a sealing relation with this wall for substantialy excluding air from the chamber 52 and the retort, and this seal may include a gasket and a sealing ring 53 therefor as shown. To provide for lon itudinal expansion and contraction of t e jacketed retort wall 2, its jacket wall 7 is made cylindrical at this point, as shown. The bearing 21 for'the' tubular extension 22 of the inner jacketed wall 1 of the annular retort is provided on the other above mentioned vertical wall of the chamber 52 and forms a seal against the entrance of air into the chamber 52, this seal bein shown as made more secure by means 0 a acking land flange having a ring 54 carrie by the caring 21. If desired, t e bearin 21 may be mounted for vertical, or other, a justment on the wall of the chamber 52.

The receiving and separating chamber 52 tapers downwardly at its bottom and is there rovided with an outlet opening 55 for the so id fragmenta material. At its outlet opening 55. the c amber 52 is connected to an air-excluding discharge device which may be and is shown as similar in construction to the air-excluding feed device connected between the hopper 33 and thechute 29, as hereinbefore described. This discharge device has a cylindrical casing 56 connected to the bottom of the chamber 52 and into the top of the periphery of which the chamber outlet 55 opens, while the bottom of the peripheral part of this casing is shown as openin discharge pipe 57 connected tiereto'. casing 56 rotatably but snugly contains a cylindrical discharge drum 58 having therein a discharge pocket 59 which opens at one side of the periphery of the drum 58 so as to communicate alternately with the outlet opening 55 of the chamber 52 and with the dischargepipe 57. The drum 58 has a short shaft 60 journaled in an outwardly closed bearing on the casing 56 and at. its other end is fixed upon the inner end of adriving shaft 61 journaled in and projecting outwardly beyond a bearing on the casing 56. The driving shaft 61 has fixed thereon a pulley 62 for a belt 63 by means of which the discharge drum58 may be rotated by any convenient source of power, for example, an electric motor or from a line shaft. The drum 58 at all times substantially seals the casing 56 against the entrance of air through the discharge pipe 57 and this easing into the chamber 52 through its outlet opening 55, however, as the drum 58 rotates it will discharge the fragmentary solid n'iaterial from the bottom of the chamber 52 through its outlet opening 55 and into the discharge pipe 57. The discharge drum 58 should be rotated at a rate in harmony with therate of rotation of the feed supply drum 34 so that it will discharge the treated solid material at a rate commensurate with the rate at which the fresh or untreated material is supplied by the drum 34. Obviously it is desirable that the pocket 59 in the discharge drum 58 should be substantially filled, while. on the other hand, it is obvious that solid material cannot be permitted to accumulate progressively in the bottom of the chamber 52 While the solid fragmentary material from which the vaporizable matter has been driven off falls from the open end of. the annular rotating retort, dropping to the bottom of the chamber 52, from which it is constantly removed, as above described, the vapors generated within such retort between its heated annularly spaced. walls 1 and 2 issue from the same open end of the annular rotatin retort and fill the receiving chamber 52. T e vapors may be conducted away from or drawn ofi from the receiving or separating chamber 52 by any suitablefmeans. In the construction shown in the drawings an eduction pipe 64 connectedto the top of the chamber 52 leads to a rotary exhaust pump 65 which may be of. the centrifugal.

into the up er end of a. The

type as indicated in Fig. 1.. The pump shaft 66 has fixed thereon a pulley 67 to be driven by a belt 68 from any suitable source of power, such as a lineshaft or a motor, which may be an electric motor. From the delivery side of the exhaust pump a pipe 69 leads to a condensing apparatus, shown as a coil or worm 70, in which the vapors are condensed and from which they are delivered as a liquid or distillate. v

The rotary annular retort comprising the inner and outer jacketed walls 1 and 2 and the several parts carried thereby'may be rotated by any suitable. means. As hereinbefore described, according to the particular nature of the material being treated, these walls may be rotated together in the same direction at the same angular speed, or they may be rotated at different speeds in the same direction,,or they may be rotated in opposite directions. 11 the construction shown in the drawings, the outer jacketed.

ledge-carrying wall 2 may be rotated by means of a sprocket ring 71 fixed upon its jacket wall 7 near its end adjacent to the conical sealing wall 23 at the feed or intake end ofthe annular retort. By means ofa usual sprocket chain the sprocket ring or wheel 71 may be driven from any convenient source of power, such as a line shaft or a suitable motor, such as an electric motor. The inner jacketed wall. 1 of the annular rotary retort may be rotated by means of a sprocket ring or wheel 72 fixed on the outer projecting end of its tubular extension 22. This sprocket wheel 72 by means of a usual sprocket chain may be drlven from any suitable source of power, such as a line shaft or a suitablemotor, such as an electric motor. When the innerand outer walls 1 and 2 of the annular rotary retort are to be rotated together at the same speed, then, if desired, one of the above described driving means may be dispensed with and both of such walls then driven by means of one of the sprocket rings, for example, b means of the larger sprocket lring 71 on t e jacket wall 7 of the outer wall 2 of the annular rotary retort. Obviously, all parts of the ap'pa 'ratus may be driven from a single source of power, or they may be driven from, more or less, independent or separate sources of power, as desired.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated as an embodiment of the invention has already been described. to a considerable extent so that now there only needs to be added a brief rsum togetherwith a few additional explanations. The fragmentary solid material from which the vaporizable matter is to be extracted. is supplied and positively fed into the intakeend of the annular rotating retort uniformly in constant quantities while air is effectively excluded or prevented from entering the retort at this end. The

molten metal 6 and 10 is maintained in a' molten and desired uniformly heated condition by means of the heat in the combustion chamber formed by the inner jacket wall 5 and by that in the combustion chamber 14 surrounding the outer jacket Wall 7. This molten metal maintains the inner and outerwalls 1 and 2 of the annular rotary retort in a uniformly suitably heated condition throughout. The heatto which the fragmentary solid material within the retort is subjected is just sufficient to vaporize effectively and efficiently the vaporizable matter without the temperature being sufficiently high to cause the production of fixed or permanent gases. rotates the fragmentary solid material therein is distributed circumferentially around it, at the same time being thoroughly agitated and broken up, while it travels longitudinally"through the retort. Because of the annular shape of the retort and the Asthc annular retort distribution of the material circumferentiof this surface, the material while passing through the retort is more effectively .subjected to vaporizing heat. In fact, with an annular retort such as is shown in the drawings more than 80% of its available heating surface may 'beutilized whereas in retorts such as heretofore employed only about 20% or less of their relatively smaller heating surface can be utilized. Because of the longitudinally progressive increase in. cross sectional area or size of the annular retort chamber or space between its inner and outer walls 1 and 2 away from the intake or feed end of the annular retort towards its delivery or discharge end, the vaporizing action is facilitated and improved results are secured. Also it may be noted that air is effectively excluded from entering the discharge end of the retort and the receiving or separating chamber 52, while the frag-' mentary solid material from which the vaporizable matter has been removed is cons tantly discharged from the latter and the vapors drawn'off therefrom and'condensed.

For some materials, such as coal, which when heated become sticky and would have more or less of a tendency to adhere to and accumulate on the walls of the annular rotary retort, particularly the outer wall thereof, the modified construction shown in Figs. 4 andv 5 may be employed. *In this construction the, distributing and agitating plates 73 shown as six in number, carried by the conicallyflaring outer jacketed wall 74 of the annular retort are of the same width throughout their length, so that their free edges are parallel to this wall. ,The free edges of the cooperating tapering distributing and agitating plates 75, also six in number, carried by the inner annular jacketed wall 76, which is shown as cylindrical, are also parallel longitudinally of the retort with the outer flaring wall 74 and normally rotatively clear the adjacent free edges of the plates7 3. The inner cylindrical wall 7 (S is mounted to provide for longitudinal sliding movement. By sliding the inner cylindrical wall 76 longitudinally within the outer conical wall 74 towards the smaller end of the latter, that is, towards the feed end of the apparatus, the free outer edges of the plates 75, which are parallel to the outer conical wall 74, may be brought into contact with the outer conical wall 74, then by partially rotating one of the walls of the retort relatively to the other, any sticky material adhering to the outer wall 7 4 will be removed by the scraping action of the outer free edges of the plates 75 carriecL by the inner cylindrical wall 7 6.

In the construction shown, at the feed or intake end of the apparatus, the end of the inner cylindrical wall'76 is shown as closed by means of a circular plate or head 77 secured thereto,and to which is secured the inner end of an operating rod 78 which is guided to slide through a bearing 79 on the stationary end wall 80, the head 77 being rotatably mounted on the inner end of the operating rod 78 and held in place thereon by means of collars on the rod as shown. A connecting rod 81 connects the outer end of the slidable operating rod 78 with a crank 82 carried by a transverse shaft 83 journaled in a supporting bracket 84 and having fixed thereon a pulley 85 for a drive belt 86. The crank 82 should be of sufiicient length to bring the free edges of the plates 75 into contact with the inner surface of the conical outerwall 74 between its plates 73 and in the construction shown, this crank 82 is made of the correct length to assure that this result shall take place, and at the same time to enable the crank shaft 83 together with the crank 82 to make a complete rotation.

- The end wall 80 is provided with an inner cylindricalextension wall 87, which supports and guides within it as Well as forms a seal for the adjacent end of the inner cylindrical jacketed wall 76 of the retort. This cylindrical guide wall 87, together with the adjacent end portionof the conically flaring outer wall 74, which is shown as cylindrical at this point, confines andiorms a guide for the fragmentary solid material as the latter is fed into the annular rotating retort,

I and for more effectively performing this latter function this cylindrical wall 87 may be provided longitudinally thereof on its lower side with a pair of rib walls one of which is shown at 88, which may flare apart in an inward direction for thereby spreading the material fed to the annular retort over a larger arcuate portion thereof, as will be readily understood. shown as'provided with openings, to prevent the trapping of air between this wall and the head 77.

The distributing and agitating plates 73 carried by the outer conically flaring wall 74 terminate adjacent the inner end of the cylindrical guide wall 87, while the cooperating distributing, agitating and scraping plates 75 carried by the inner cylindrical wall 76 terminate at some distance back of or inward from the end of the guide wall 87, thereby to provide for the longitudinal sliding movement of this inner wall 76 into the guide wall 87. l i

At the delivery or discharge end of the annular rotary retort the combined distributing, agitating and scraping plates 75 carried by the inner cylindrical wall 76 extend, together with this wall, beyond the larger end of the conic-ally flaring outer wall 74 sutiiciently so that when the inner wall 76 carrying with it the plates 75 is slid forward toward the feed or intake end of the retort the ends of these plates 75 at the discharge end of the retort will be brought substantially flush with this end of the conical outer wall 74, thereby enabling the entire inner surface of the latter to be cleaned throughout. its length by the plates 75.

At the discharge end of the annular rotary retort, the tubular extension wall 89, which rotatably as well as slidably supports this end of the inner jacketed wall 76, is extended and projects outwardly beyond its bearing 90 sufliciently to provide for such longitudinal sliding movement through this bearing. The driving sprocket 91'is shown as splined to this tubular extension wall 89,

and as held in place against longitudinal sliding movement therewith by means of a bracket or clip 92 secured to the bearing 90 and which at its free end engages, as shown, in an annular groove in the hub of the sprocket 91 by which the inner annular-wall .76 of the retort is rotated through the tubular extension '89 and its'splined connection to the sprocket 91. Combustion supporting air may enter through the lower portion of the outer end of the tubular extension 89 and the used products of CQlDlJllStlOItIIlflY escape through the upper portion thereof, although obviously if desired other means could be provided for creating a suitable draught of air and for carrying away the products of combustion. 4

At any time desired during the operation of the apparatus the crank shaft 83 may be rotated to bring its crank 82 into an opposite position from that shown in Fig. 4,

The end wall 80 is ing plates 75 carried by the inner sliding wall 76 into rotatively scraping relation with the conical outer wall 74 for cleaning off or removing therefrom any carbonaceous or other material which has accumulated thereon, this being done while the inner and outer walls 76 and 74'ofthe annular retort are rotated at different speeds, or while one of these walls is held stationary, if so desired, or while these walls are rotating in opposite directions, this being immaterial so far as the scraping operation is concerned. This cleaning of the conical outer wall 7 4 of the annular retort may take place ocea sionally under manual control or it may be automatically performed, the crank shaft 83 then beingrotated intermittently in timed relation with the differential rotative movements of the inner and outer walls 74 and 76 of the retort. As a measure of safety a slip drive may be provided for one of the walls of the retort if desired. Should it be found desirable to provide for cleaning the inner means exterior to the retort for maintaining its outer annular wall in a suitably heated condition, means for feeding the material to be treated into the rotating retort at one end thereof and at the same time substantially excluding the entrance of air into the retort, means for receiving solid treated material delivered from the other end of the retort and at the same time substantially excluding air from the retort, a circumferential series of ledges carried by the outer annular wall of the retort at its inner side for first lifting and then dropping the material being treated as it travels longitudinally through the retort, a similar series of ledges within the retort carried by the inner annular wall thereof for receiving upon said inner wall the material dropped from said outer wall and again returning such material thereto, and means for conducting away and conserving the vapors generated in the retort. t

2. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary solid material annular wall of the annular retort this may comprising an annular retort having its inbe accomplished by making this wall also of conical shape similar to the outer wall 74;

and parallel therewith, the combined agitating, distributing and cleaning plates on the inner wall then being of the same width throughout their length and also being of the same width as the cooperating plates on the outer wall, so that thereby the plates on the outer wall will be effective to clean the inner wall while plates on the latter wall are cleaning the outer wall. \Vith this latter arrangement briquetting of material may be accomplished between the' two sets of plates of the respective walls if desired.

, In other respects than above described or shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the construction and operation of this apparatus may be substantially the same as that hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

It is obvious that various modifications in construction may be made in the apparatus shown in the drawings as embodiments of the invention, and above particularly described, Within the principle and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 5 v

I clairnz.

1. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary solid material comprising an annular retort having its tort, means forconcomitantly rotating the other annular wall of the retort, means exterior to the retort for vmaintaining its inner annular wall in a suitably heated condition,

- ncr and outer walls mounted to provide for independent rotation of said walls on longitudinal axes which at least approach substantially to the horizontal, means for rotating one of the annular walls of the retort, means for concomitantly rotating the other annular wallof the retort, a closed annular jacket carried by and substantially covering the outer annular wall of the retort containing molten metal, a similar closed annular jacket carried by and substantially covering the inner annular wall of the retort containing molten metal, means for applying heat to the inner annular jacket from withsame time substantially excluding the en-' trance of air into the retort, means for receiving and disposing of discharged solid treated material at the other end of the re- "tort and at the same time substantially ex-' eluding air fromthe retort, .a circumferential series of ledges carried by the outer annula-r wall of the retort at itsinner side for first lifting and then dropping. the material being treated as it travels longitudinally through the retort, a similar series of ledges within th'e'retort. carried by the inner annular wall thereof for receiving upon said.

inner wall the material dropped from said outer wall and again returning such mate I rial thereto, and means forconducting away and conserving the vapors generated n the retort;

3. An ap aratus for extracting vaporizable matter rom fragmentary solid material comprislng an annular retort rotatable on a tially the-form of atruncated cone, means for rotating theretort, means for applying suitable heat to the outer side of the truncated wall of the rotating retort substantially throughout its extent, means for aplying suitable heat to the inner annular wall of the rotating retort within the space. enclosed thereby substantially throughout its extent,'

means for substantially excluding air from the rotating retort and at the same time feeding the solid material to be treated into the retort at the v.exteriorly smaller end thereof as defined by its truncated outer wall, means for delivering from the other end of. the rotating retort the treated solid material which has traveled through the retort and at the same time excluding air from the retort, and means for drawing oil from the rotating retort the vapors generated therein.

4. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary solid material comprising an annular retort rotatable on a longitudinal axis which at least substan tially approaches to the horizontal and having a cylindrical inner wall and a conically flaring outer wall, means for rotating the retort, means for applying suitable heat to the outer side of the conical wall of the retort 1 substantially throughout its extent, means for applying suitable heat to the inner cylindrical wall of the retort within the space enclosed thereby substantially throughout its extent, means for substantially excluding air from the rotating retort and at the same time feeding the solid material to be treated into the retort at theexteriorly smaller end thereof as defined by its conical outer wall, means for discharging fromthe outer end of the rotating retort the treated solid material which has traveled through the retort and at the same time substantially excluding air from the retort, means for drawing off from the rotating retort the vapors generated therein, and means for agitating the material being treated and distributing it circumferentially around the annular retort comprising ledges within the retort carried by and projecting from the periphery of its inner annular wall, and other ledges carried by and projecting inwardly from the outerannular wall 'of the retort. I

5. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary solid material comprising an annular "retort having its inner and outer annular walls mounted to prbvide for independent rotation of said walls on longitudinal axes which at least approach substantially to the horizontal and having its outer annular wall in the shape of a truncated cone, means for rotating the said inner and outer annular Walls of the retort, 'aelose'd annular jacket carried by and substantially covering said outer annular wall and containing molten metal, a similar closed annular jacket carried by and sub.

Wall Within the central space'enclosed thereby and containing molten metal, means for applying-suitable heat to the exposed walls of said jackets to maintain the molten metal therein in a suitably heated molten condition, meansfor feeding the material to be .stantially covering the said inner annular' treated into the rotating retort at the smaller end thereof as determined by its conical outer wall and at the same time substantially excluding air from the retort, means for delivering the solid treated material from the other endAof the retort when the said material has traveled through the retort and at the same time substantially excludin air from the retort, means for drawing oil trom the retort the vapors generated therein, and means for agitating the material being treated in the retort and for distributing it circumterentially therein comprising inwardly projecting ledges carried by the outer truncated wall of the retort, and other ledges carried by the inner annular wall of the retort and projecting towards its outer truncated wall.

6. An apparatus for extracting vaporiza ble matter from fragmentary solid material comprising an annular retort having an inner cylindrical wall and an outer conical wall mounted to provide for independent rotation of saidwalls on longitudinal axes which at least approach substantially to the horizontal, means for rotating said walls, a closed annular jacketearried by and sub- 'stantially covering the conical wall and containing molten metal, a similar closed annular jacket carried by and substantially covering the cylindrical wall within the space enclosed thereby and containing-mole ten metal, means for applying suitable heat to the, exposed walls of said jackets to maintain the molten metal therein in a-suitably heated molten condition, means for feeding the solid material to be treated into the smaller end of the annular retort as det'ermined by its conical wall and at the same ftime substantially excluding air from the retort, a separating chamber with which the other end of the retort communicates for the chamber to receive therefrom the" solid treated material and the vapors generated in the retort, means for drawing oil the vapors from said chamber, and means for agitating the solidmaterialbeing treated in the retort and for distributing it circumferentially therein comprisin ledges carried by and projecting inwardly rom the conical wall, and other ledges carried bythe cylindrical wall of the retort and projecting towards its conical wall.

7. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary solid material comprising an annular retort having its inner and outer annular walls mounted to provide for independent rotation of said walls on longitudinal axes which at least' substantially approach to the horizontal and having one of its annular wallsof conical shape, a longitudinally extending plate carried by and projecting from the other said.

annular wall of the retort and having its free edge extendin in parallel relation to said conical annu ar wall and normally spaced therefrom, means' for rotating the said inner and outer annular walls of the retort, means for maintaining the inner and outer annular walls of the retort in a suitably heated condition, means for causing said material to enter and travel pro ressively longitudinally through and out o the annular rotating retort, means for conducting away from the annular rotating retort the vapors generated therein, and means for sliding one of said annular walls of the retort longitudinally relatively to the other to cause the free edge of said plate to approach said conical wall while one of said walls rotates relatively to the other so. as thereby to cause said-plate to remove from said enter at one end and travel longitudinally-i "through the annular retort and out at the other end thereof, circumferentially equidistant plates within the annular retort extending longitudinally thereof carried by and projecting from said conical wall thereof, other circumferentially equidistant longitudinally extending plates within the annular retort carried by and projecting from its other said annular wall and having their free edges parallel with said conical annular wall and normally rotativel'y clearing the free edges of the said plates on the latter wall, means for conducting away from therotating retort the vapors generated therein, and means for moving one of said annular walls of the retort longitudinally relatively to the other in the direction and to an extent to bring into contact with said: conical walls between itssaid plates the free edges of the said plates carried by said other annular I wall of the retort so that upon relative mo'vc ment of said annular walls the said latter plates will scrape from said conical wall material which thereon.

9. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary solid material comprising an annular retort having its inner and outer annular walls mounted to provide for independent rotation of said walls on longitudinal axes which at least substantially approach to the horizontal, and having its outer annular wall in the shape of a truncated cone, means for rotating the said inner and outer annular walls of the retort, means for maintaining said inner and outer annular walls in a-suitably heated condition, meansfor causing said material to enter one end of the retort and to travel longitudinally through the annular retort and ,out of the other end thereof, means for conducting away from the retort the vapors generated therein, circumferentially equidistant longitudinally extending plates within the retort carried by and projecting from the inner annular'wall thereof and having their free edges parallel to and normally radially spaced from the outer truncated wall of .the retort, other circumferentially may have accumulated equidistant longitudinally extending platescarried by and projecting from the truncated outer Wall of the retort having their free edges parallel thereto and normally rotatively clearing the free edges of the said plates, carried by the inner-annular wall of the retort, and means for sliding the inner annular Wall of the retort longitudinally towards the smaller end of the truncated wall thereof to bring the free edges of the plates carried by the said inner wall into contact withthe inner surface of the said truncated wall whereupon by relative rotative movement of the inner and outer walls of the annular retort these plates willscrape away accumulated material which has adhered to the outer truncated wall of the retort. j

10. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary solid material comprising an annular retort, the two walls ,of which are independently rotatable, means for heating the retort, means at'oneend for supplying the material to be treated and means at the other end for collecting the evolved vapors.

11. An apparatus for extracting vaporizable matter from fragmentary SOlld material comprising an annular retort, the two walls of which are independently rotatable, agitating fins on the inner face of one of the walls of the retort, means for heating the "ble matter from fragmentary .solid material comprising an annular retort, both walls of which are jacketed and contain molten metal, means for applying heat to both the inner and outer jacketed Walls for maintaining the molten metal therein in a suit able heated condition and thereby heat the annular retort chamberfthe two walls of the retort being independently rotatable and each carrying fins on its inner face for agitating the material in the retort chamber, hopper mechanism at onev end of the retort, and vapor-collecting means at the other end of the retort.

' In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature. i

. KENNETH EDGAR CLAYTON-KEllNEDY. I 

